Monday, December 1, 2014

Johnny Winter, one of the greats who died in 2014, was certainly a surprising guitar hero when he emerged in the late 60s. Showing decent vocal chops and a lightning quick, gut-wrenching style of blues leads, Winter epitomized the blues revival of the late 60s not just with his proficiency with the music but also his troubled lifestyle as he ended up battling heroin addiction into the early 70s. Looking the exact opposite of what most thought a bluesman should look like he ended up sticking to the road and promoting the purity of the blues rigt up until his death from natural causes in Switzerland on July 16, 2014.

The pop/rock world is a large universe therefore it's never any surprise when many luminaries from within it meet their end during any given year. Of course in the music biz many live hard lives of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and constant touring that take their toll and stress. Not to mention the many demons that haunt the highly creative and innovative musical minds of our times. Am I bumming you out yet? I shouldn't because in this first of thee podcasts in the series of "Recent Stops in Rock n' Roll Heaven" I'll profile and provide a musical sample of several who shuffled off their mortal coil since the start of 2013.

Don't think of it as a mourning but rather a celebration of what they left behind. There will be singers, songwriters, backing musicians, producers and all sorts of highly regarded names in variou capacities of the recording industry. So sit back and soak in another musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2014. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!